Portland Picnics, Potlucks and Cookouts...Oh, My!

When the sun finally peeks out, Portlanders can’t seem to help vacating their coffee-roasting-and-micro-brewed dens to soak in some much needed vitamin D and enjoy quality time spent with good friends. Picnics, potlucks and cookouts are synonymous with Portland summers, and, with plenty of fantastic parks to choose from, reserving your favorite park in advance can make your next picnic a hit.

Pearl District resident Craig Boretz renews his reservation every year for his annual neighborhood potluck in Jamison Square in memory of 9/11. “It started, and still is, a potluck party for residents of the Park Place Condos,” says Boretz, who will celebrate his sixth year hosting the potluck this year. “It did expand just a little bit to include some friends and a few other neighbors. Everyone brings a side dish and we (Phil Yee and I) start roasting a pig and some selected other meats at six in the morning.”

Phil Yee (left) and Craig Boretz (right) host the popular Pig in the Park potluck.

The party has affectionately been dubbed Pig in the Park, in honor of the little pigs traditionally roasted for the event in Yee's oversized Traeger smoker, designed to fit three pigs each weighing in at about 120 pounds.

Each year the party plays host to over 200 guests and residents of the Park Place Condos who each do their part in making the potluck a success by bringing a dish to share. Through the years Boretz has developed a plan to keep variety on the tables by organizing “who-brings-what” based on last names—last names that start with A-H bring an appetizer, I-R names contribute a side dish and S-Z names stock the much coveted dessert table.

Pigs, lamb, brisket, and ribs in Yee's Traeger smoker

“The whole thing is a lot of work, but we have plenty of people willing to chip in and help out,” says Boretz. “Last year my youngest son, Cole, acted as DJ. In the past we have had hula dancers arranged by one of our neighbors—I think he likes the grass skirts.”

Planning a potluck or cookout for your neighbors and friends can be a great way to build a closer-knit community, but make sure you follow the City of Portland’s rules for hosting a party in the park.

Reserving the Park

To find the perfect spot for your picnic, potluck or cookout, check out picnic site maps on the Portland Parks and Recreation web site to see the reservable picnic sites. While you're there, download the Picnic Brochure for complete information on fees, policies and reservations. Don't see your favorite park listed? Parks not listed in the picnic site maps or brochure can be reserved with a Special Use Permit.

Neighbors Frank Wilson and Wu-chang Feng carve up a pig for the buffet line.

Before sending out invitations to your potluck, you’ll need to call Portland Parks and Recreation's Customer Service Center (503.823.2525) to make sure your desired date is available at your park of choice. After checking the available dates for your park you’ll need to act quickly to ensure your time in the park by sending in a completed Picnic Application with the appropriate fees. All application fees and processing fees must be paid in order to guarantee your reservation. In addition to the application and processing fees, there are also usage fees that may or may not apply to your gathering. While you can pay these fees up front to make sure you don’t forget anything later on, the City only requires you pay them at least 30 days prior to your event. Additional fees are as follows:

• BASEBALL FIELDS: $15.55 per hour. Show your neighbors that your batting average isn’t a myth by booking a baseball field for your next picnic. It’s a great way to enjoy some healthy competition, or, for those “less-athletic” friends, a great way to get in some laughs. Sports Leagues take precedence over picnic use, so make sure to coordinate your picnic with available field times.
• SPORTS FIELDS: $23.13 per hour. Go ahead and bring a football or soccer ball to play around with at your picnic, but if you’re going to use a sports field in the park, you’ll need to book it in advance.
• VEHICLE ACCESS: $53.00 per vehicle (key may be required). The City of Portland requires a vehicle pass for all vehicles wishing to drive into a non-public park (park parking lots excluded). If you plan on towing your smoker to the park (or anything else that you can’t carry in on foot), you’ll need to call ahead for your access pass that allows you to load and unload your vehicle. Passes must be posted in the front window of your vehicle at all times, and vehicles must stay on the road (no off-roading it) and need to leave the park before the event begins.

Once the City has received your final payments and application, they will send you a picnic permit needs to be on-site during your picnic, reservations signs for you to post in the park the day of your picnic, and any other passes or maps that will be helpful for your event.

Hula dancers (and neighbors!) provide a little entertainment at Pig in the Park.

Enjoying the Party

Potlucks are a ton of fun, and the Parks department encourages people to get out and use the great parks that define our city, but make sure to follow the City’s few housekeeping rules to ensure your group will be welcomed back.

• TAKE OUT THE TRASH Your group is responsible for cleaning up after your party, so designate people to collect and remove any garbage from the event. If there will be any dogs in the park, remind owners that leash and scoop laws still apply.
• GRILL SAFELY The City requires that all self-contained barbecues need to be a minimum of six-inches off the ground, so if your three-little-pig-sized-Traeger smoker doesn’t meet the requirements, you may need to find a new catch to your meat-themed potluck.
• DRINK LEGALLY Without an alcohol permit issued by the City, there can be no drinking at your potluck … and what’s a potluck in Portland without beer or wine? Make sure to get your permit that allows your guests to BYOB.
• CRANK SOME TUNES If you choose to bring a portable music device, make sure the sound level is set so it can’t be heard outside the park. If you want to have amplified music, call the Parks department to get a Special Use Permit.